Gov’t tracks 4,071 perpetrators, victims in N. Korean human rights probe

South Korea has so far tracked a total of 4,071 perpetrators and victims of North Korea's human rights violations in an ongoing investigation meant to serve as potential evidence in holding human rights abusers accountable, the unification ministry said Friday. The figure marks an increase from 3,817 people on the list of perpetrators and victims of North Korea's human rights abuses as of end-July last year, the ministry said in a policy report submitted to the National Assembly. The ministry did not provide further details on the respective number of perpetrators and victims. By law, details of the ministry's probe of North Korean defectors are transferred to the justice ministry's archive on North Korea's human rights record. The justice ministry identifies perpetrators and victims to use the data for holding rights abusers accountable later. In an assessment of the overall rights situation in North Korea, the ministry said human rights violations have worsened under the North Korean regime's tightened control of its residents. It also said food rights of North Korean people have worsened due to the regime's monopoly on grain distribution. Under the North Korean Human Rights Act, the government submits an annual report of policy developments on improving North Korean human rights to the National Assembly. Source: Yonhap News Agency